3. Shell game

Also known as the Trilero / three pea / shell game (e.g. in Hungary, Germany), this game involves shuffling of three cups and a ball.

You have to guess which cup contains the ball at the final shuffle. Guess correctly and you can double your money.

The scam is perpetrated by a group of scammers – one dealer, two to three in the crowd acting as onlookers, one playing the game and one on the lookout for the police.

This game seems easy but it is impossible to win, as the dealer uses a sleight of hand trick to take the ball out of the cups and into his hand. He will then put the ball back into whichever cup you did not choose.

If you were to see anyone winning, that is the accomplice, to tempt tourists into thinking that it is easy to win.

Watch out for those accomplices acting as onlookers, as they will pressure you into playing or intimidate you into staying. Some may even steal your valuables when you are distracted.

What to do:

Give this set up a wide berth – it’s impossible to win.

4. Photo taking set-up

Taking photos. Source: Wikimedia – Daniel Hard

How it works:

Scammer #1 offers to help you take a photo. While you are distracted, scammer #2 comes along to steal your valuables.

But wait, it gets better. Should you realize that you have just been robbed, scammer #1 will offer to help call the police and the bank, and ask you for your credit card details.

Scammer #1 then calls the police, who is actually another accomplice..

What to do:

It is safer to solicit help than to accept unsolicited help, in this case, for photo taking.

On the tube, watch out if you are close to the door, as there are pickpockets who strike and escape just before the doors close.

A reverse scenario is when a thief jumps onto the crowded carriage of a train at the last second. He will be carrying several bags. These bags serve to act as a cover, while he goes about picking your pockets.

At the station, there are also pickpockets who wait at the turnstile to strike while you enter.

The escalator is another spot to execute the classic front drop (of an item) and back snatch (stealing from you from behind).

What to do:

Stay alert and watch out for suspicious characters, though that is easier said than done.

The best solution is still, to not make yourself look like a target.

Make it impossible for thieves to steal from you with these methods:

Carry around a photocopy of your passport instead of the actual one.

Carry small amounts of cash in a cheap spare wallet that you wouldn’t mind losing. Do not leave it in your back pocket.

That will prevent your cards’ details from being skimmed by thieves with a mobile RFID reader / scanner.

8. Do you have spare change for parking?

Parking in UK. Source: thetimes.co.uk

How it works:

This is similar to the sob story scam, where the scammer will approach you to ask if you have change for the parking meter, as he is about to get a parking ticket.

Most people fall for it as they are put under time pressure and it only concerns a small amount.

What to do:

Firmly decline.

9. White van scam

White van scam. Source: bbb.org

How it works:

This is a really old scam that still exists, targeting both locals and tourists.

The scammers, working in groups of around 3, will be wearing a company uniform and driving their van around.

They approach you and explain that due to a corporate error (e.g. over-order by client; system error, etc), they are now left with many speakers which they need to clear soon. As such, they are able to offer them to you at lower than retail prices.

Should you reject the offer, that’s when the high pressure sales tactics will come in.

They will bombard you with fancy looking marketing collateral, technical jargon, hound you if you try to leave and finally, lower the price significantly.

Besides speakers, other things such as designer clothes or luxury bags can be sold as well. A common item is jackets which they claim are leftover samples which the seller needs to get rid of fast.

What to do:

Decline such offers – these are poor quality speakers / items.

D. KEY SAFETY ISSUES

This is not a fear mongering exercise, as most visits are trouble free as long as you exercise some common sense.